PSYCHOTHERAPY TREATMENT TORONTO

A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO WELLNESS

If you’re looking for psychotherapy in Toronto, our clinical psychologist, social workers, and licensed psychotherapists will help you take control of your life. We’ll guide you every step of the way through the path to recovery and wellness.

Therapy may provide you with a place to safely explore your fears and anxieties and may help to strengthen your emotional responses to them. Participating in counseling may help you feel less alone and better able to cope with stressful situations. In therapy, you will be encouraged to deal with daily stressors in new and more functional ways. An essential part of realizing that goal involves achieving balance in all areas of your life.

In therapy, you’ll learn about yourself, how to navigate setbacks, discover resilience, or examine the relationships that may have led you to seek treatments. Your experienced therapist will help you develop greater awareness and understanding of your thoughts, feelings, moods, and behaviors. You’ll also learn practical strategies and techniques to conquer possible obstacles and achieve a better balance in all areas of your life.

ASSESSMENT SETS THE COURSE OF TREATMENT

One of our licensed therapists, will respond to your initial phone message or email and do a quick assessment. The experienced therapist will ask why you’re seeking therapy and about the issues or symptoms you’re experiencing. They’ll also need some details about your family and childhood and want to know if you have a family history of mental illness. It will also be important to note if you’ve experienced any trauma or have recently been through any major life changes.

This assessment will provide insight into your current stressors, possible diagnosis, and which of our clinical psychologists, social workers, or licensed psychotherapists would be the best fit for you.
If yours or your child’s issues might be related to cognitive impairments or a learning disability, we offer neuropsychological or psychoeducational assessments as well.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is the umbrella term for a multitude of psychological methods used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. It’s also used for personal or relationship issues. Psychotherapy is based on personal interaction with a licensed therapist. It aims to help you make desirable changes in your thinking, behaviors, beliefs, and emotions. These changes will improve your mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

What are the forms of psychotherapy? There are more than 1,000 forms. Those most widely used at our clinic include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Relaxation Training

Is psychotherapy effective?

At The Clinic on Dupont, we use evidence-based methods that are the most appropriate for your situation. One of the primary psychotherapy methods we use is CBT. Numerous scientific studies have found this to be a particularly effective treatment for multiple conditions and issues. The form of psychotherapy your professional therapist uses will be based on your specific situation and needs to ensure you receive the most benefit from your treatment.

How long does psychotherapy last?

At the Clinic on Dupont, the model used for therapy is generally, but not always, short-term, lasting between 6-24, 50-minute sessions. Therapy may occur once a week, or more than once a week as the therapist and client collaboratively agree is required. The purpose of therapy is to improve your emotional/psychological health.

Therapy methods will vary depending on the problem and treatment goals you wish to address. Your therapist will discuss with you treatment suggestions and therapy methods and techniques. The benefits and possible risks of treatment, the probability of success, the prognosis without the treatment, and possible alternative approaches will also be explained.

However, every situation is unique. Some people may want to explore deeper issues and choose to continue therapy on an ongoing basis.

What if the psychotherapist I meet with isn’t right for me?

Each professional therapist and client has their unique personality, which creates a dynamic. It’s important to The Clinic On Dupont that you’re comfortable and get along well with your therapist. A good relationship with your therapist is crucial to the success of your treatment. If you’re not comfortable or satisfied with your therapist, please let us know. We’ll be happy to provide you a different licensed therapist at The Clinic On Dupont or refer you to another psychotherapist in Toronto.

Do I have to lie on a couch?

No, this is your personal choice. Many of our experienced psychotherapists have couches in their offices. However, most clients prefer to sit, particularly early on in therapy. Your therapist might offer you the option to lie down as treatment progresses if he or she feels it might help you to think more clearly or talk more openly. If you think you’d benefit from lying down, be sure to mention it to your therapist.

Do I have to see my therapist weekly?

You’ll likely get more benefit if you see your licensed therapist every week, at least in the beginning. That way, you and your therapist can get to know each other and build a deeper bond and trust. It also keeps things fresh from one session to the next. As your situation improves, some clients choose to continue seeing their therapist on a less frequent basis. This provides clients a safety net in case they backtrack. However, our professional psychotherapists also recognize weekly sessions don’t work for everyone. If this is a problem, talk with your therapist.

Are you looking for help with psychotherapy? Our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) professionals are here for you. Call us at (416) 515-2649 to speak with one of our psychologists.